The plan outlines action items and identifies an expenditure of $100 million to deliver an extensive program of works in the next financial year.

Also, on public exhibition is the Long-Term Financial Plan and draft Fees and Charges for 2019-20. The Long-Term Financial Plan is a document that outlines the budget over a ten-year period.

The Fees and Charges document outlines how much Council proposes to charge for its services to the community, such as the cost to hire a hall or to register your pet. This document is key to the revenue component of the Operational Plan.

The proposed 2019-20 budget shows a deficit which is largely due to the growing number of assets that Council owns that either need to be replaced, upgraded or maintained over their lifespan.

Council manages more than $1.1 billion in assets including footpaths, roads, bridges, stormwater, drainage, water supply and sewer networks, community buildings and parks and gardens.

These assets bring a significant responsibility and must be maintained to a certain standard to ensure the safety and quality of life for community members.

We are currently reviewing the value of our assets, depreciation and the costs to maintain them to better manage the impact on the budget.

Now is the time to read these documents and have your say on a certain project or to find out more details about planned works.

Once this draft Operational Plan is adopted, it's quite complex to change course or add new projects.

The documents are available at Council's West Kempsey office or online at https://yoursay.macleay.nsw.gov.au/19-20plans

Submissions close on Tuesday, May 21, 2019, and must be made in writing either through the website, by emailing ksc@kempsey.nsw.gov.au or through hardcopy.